In an alarming incident, a Democratic campaign office in Tempe, Arizona, linked to the Kamala Harris presidential campaign, was hit by gunfire, as confirmed by local authorities on Monday. Investigators are currently examining the damage, with reports showing multiple bullet holes puncturing the building’s windows and doors. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Pictures from the scene show the aftermath, with bullets visibly damaging the front of the office. Tempe police are actively looking into the situation, but so far, no suspects have been identified.
The unsettling event comes just days ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’s scheduled visit to Arizona, writes NBC News. Harris is expected to make several stops across the state in the coming days, including a significant appearance near the U.S.-Mexico border. The timing of the shooting, right before her arrival, adds a troubling layer of concern to the security around her trip:
“We can confirm that on 9/23/24, what appears to be damage from gunfire at … a DNC Campaign Office, was discovered,” Tempe police said in a statement to NBC News on Tuesday.
Tempe police said that officers responded Monday after calls from workers, and that they observed what appeared to be gunshots through the front windows of the office which is shared by staff members for the Arizona Democratic Party, the Harris campaign and Senate and House campaigns to boost turnout for the party in November.
“No one was inside the office during the overnight hours, but this raises concerns about the safety of those who work in that building, as well as those nearby,” Public Information Officer, Sgt. Ryan Cook said in a statement Tuesday.
The apparent gunfire marks the second incident of criminal damage at that office in recent weeks, according to Tempe police, who said that just after midnight on Sept. 16 the office’s front windows were hit with what appeared to be a BB gun or pellet gun.
Harris’ First Border Visit as Nominee
Harris’ upcoming trip, scheduled for Friday, will mark her first visit to the southern border since she secured the Democratic nomination. According to sources close to the campaign, she will likely address border-related issues during the visit, although specific details remain under wraps. Officials, speaking anonymously, suggest that final plans for her stops are still being ironed out.
Campaign Responds to Growing Pressure
The vice president has faced increasing scrutiny over her handling of immigration issues, particularly after being appointed as President Biden’s “border czar” in the early days of the administration. Critics have questioned her ability to manage the ongoing crisis at the border, and this visit could be pivotal for the campaign’s messaging on immigration. However, the Harris campaign has yet to make any official statements on the matter, leaving many curious about how she plans to tackle these concerns during her Arizona trip.
The shooting incident comes on the heels of another shocking event: Donald Trump recently survived an assassination attempt by a recruiter affiliated with the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. For both sides, the safety and security of candidates on the campaign trail remain a top priority.
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